Use this section to discuss your experiences with prescription drugs, iron injections, and other medical interventions that involve the introduction of a drug or medicine into the body. Discuss side effects, successes, failures, published research, information about drug trials, and information about new medications being developed.

Important: Posts and information in this section are based on personal experiences and recommendations; they should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a healthcare provider.

Here's a technique I use for keeping track of where to place NeuPro patches.

The NeuPro patch seems to work more reliably in different locations for different people (assuming we're always within the shaded areas shown in the instructions for starters). Also, we're told to allow at least 14 days between repeat use of a given spot.

I took photos of my front, back, and sides, then modified them into high contrast images, seeking a balance where moles or other unique skin features show up but the background is more white than gray. The moles and unique features enable you to more accurately map the patches onto your body so, for example, if you know a particular spot on your hip didn't give you good results, you can accurately avoid that spot. Then I shaded the larger areas on the photos to match those on the NeuPro instruction sheet. Keep one copy as a master and make another copy to use.

Each day I mark the spot on the photo that corresponds to the actual patch's location on my body. I mark the date, and/or you could use sequence numbers -- any way that helps you avoid each spot for at least 14 days. Then the next day I use highlighters to color code that location's effectiveness: green, orange, red for very effective, so-so, and not effective.

I think initially I wasn't following the application instructions closely enough and I may have compromised a few of the patches. So I give each location a 2nd try. If it's not effective again, then I update my master image to reflect that info.

You can easily do two 14-day cycles on a single set of photos, so you could start this process on the 1st of each month and then the date becomes your sequence number.

MikeD, I was on the patch for 15 months before augmentation caught up me again. I started out with a similar approach. I found that after a month or so that I had identified 14 locations where the patch 1) worked, 2) would stay attached, 3) didn't cause too much irritation, and 4) wasn't didn't cause discomfort as I would move around. The last one is what stopped me from using the suggested sites on the small of my back. The patch caused too much pulling of the skin as I would twist my waist or move around.

Once I had my sites identified, I had a simple diagram that I used that had my sequence numbered. After about 3 or 4 months, I stopped consulting the diagram because I had the sequence memorized.

The biggest catch to all of this is that when you do start to augment and first need the higher doses, this means that the patches get bigger. Sites that were great for the little 2mg patch were a bit more challenging for the big 4mg ones.

I have been on the NeuPro patch 1 mg. for one week and have not once experienced those jerky leg movements I had 24/7. It has been a challenge finding those areas on my body on which to apply the patch. One fell off while showering two hours before I was to put on a new patch so I waited another two hours before applying the new one. Is there an optimal time to apply. I also wonder when I will have to increase the dosage to 2 mg. Hope not.

Caitrin, because the patch slowly delivers medication over the entire time that it is applied, the timing isn't as critical as it is for pills. When I was using it, I switched out in the morning only because that was when it was most convenient for me.

As for when/if you will need to go to 2mg, you will know when the time comes. But that is like asking how long you will be able to stay on 0.125mg of pramipexole. Since everyone is different, no one knows.

Thank you for your input and it has been 11 days now on 1 mg. patch. Early evening is best for me and I have steadily increased time I remove and apply the new patch. What a break this has been for me from 24/7 to zero leg jerks. I knew the time would come when I had to eliminate the carbidopa/levodopa after 30 years.

After using the 1 mg. patch for two weeks I have augmented and will require the 2 mg. script my physician sent to the pharmacy. I thought I would be able to remain at 1 mg. but not the case. As discussed here I will have to find other sites for the larger patch which will not cause allergic reactions and will adhere. What is best way to cover the patches while showering as I did lose two and as we all know these are an expensive but effective DA alternative.

I avoided the showering issue by removing the old one before the shower and applying the new one afterwards. The other option is to use tape to cover the patch, but then the tape has to remain in place since it would probably also pull the patch off.